For the first time in a while, West Ham United fans have a lot to be excited about.
Nuno Espirito Santo got them back on track after a disastrous start to the season that saw them among the elimination candidates.
East Londoners picked up their second Premier League win of the season against Newcastle United and their third win against Burnley on Saturday.
In addition to the rise in form, fans have finally been able to see Freddie Potts from the start and he has been sensational in the middle of the park, but his impressive form could spell the beginning of the end for West Ham’s other star.
What makes Potts special
West Ham have a proud history of producing top-level players through their academy, including Declan Rice, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, and Potts could very well be one of them.
There is certainly a lot to be said for a player who has just made his second competitive appearance for the club, but as his previous performances have shown, he has a special talent in midfield.
For example, in both games against Newcastle and Burnley, the Barking-born player produced typical all-action performances in midfield.
One moment he was performing his defensive duties perfectly, and the next he was contributing to the start of the attack with an extraordinary width of pass or by carrying the ball into the center of the park.
Looking at his recent performances, it’s easy to see why respected analyst Ben Mattinson described the academy treasure as someone who has “very smooth half-turns and is calm under pressure.”
In addition to raw ability and mentality, the West Ham supporter also has considerable experience.
For example, he played 38 games in the Championship on loan at Portsmouth last season, and the season before that he played 43 games for Wycombe Wanderers in League One, where he was named player of the match.
Overall, Potts looks set to be one of West Ham’s most important players this season, but in doing so they could potentially move on from one of the club’s most important players of the decade.
West Ham players who could replace Potts
West Ham have several players, including Andrew Irving and Guido Rodriguez, whose place in the team could be threatened by Potts’ rise this season.
But while he may be successful elsewhere, it’s fair to say they both disappointed in East London, which is not the case with Tomáš Soucek.
The Czech international may be far from his best, but his overall achievements in Claret and Blue make him one of the club’s best signings of the past decade.
He joined the Hammers from Salvia Prague just over five years ago and has since made 254 appearances, scoring 44 goals and providing 13 assists.
But more importantly, he played a key role in the 2023 Conference League champions, appearing in nine games in the competition that season and making a total of 507 appearances.
There is no denying the fact that the 30-year-old has given his all during his time at the club and will undoubtedly remain an icon for the club.
But with his contract expiring in a year and a half and Potts emerging as a potential game-changer in the middle of the park, the Broad-born giant’s time in east London could be coming to an end.
In the end, Soucek was a great signing for West Ham, but Potts could end up being one of the reasons why his time at the club ends.
